The Atlanta Hawks started with aspirations to try to contend in the East behind their star backcourt of Dejounte Murray & Trae Young. The Hawks started the season 24-32 before star guard Trae Young tore a ligament in his left pinkie on February 23rd against the Toronto Raptors. Led by All-Star Guard Dejounte Murray, the team has gone 12-10 in his absence and currently holds the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, where they will play the Chicago Bulls. Six weeks from the injury, Trae Young has been cleared to practice in hopes of returning for the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks Playoff Hopes
Given how this team started the season, I wouldn’t be high on the Dejounte Murray and Trae Young pairing leading to success for the Atlanta Hawks. However, Young has been sitting for a while. Sitting and watching the games can give you a perspective you don’t see when you’re out on the court in the moment. This time off could have given Young some ideas on how he can impact winning on this team moving forward. Dejounte and Trae have a good relationship, as Murray recently featured on Trae Young’s “From The Point” podcast’s most recent episode.
Atlanta Hawks Recipe For Success
There’s a scenario where the Atlanta Hawks can upset a beatable Milwaukee Bucks team if they make it past Chicago. Ultimately, their ceiling is likely the 2nd round. They can do it if they figure it out offensively first. Look at the Dallas Mavericks and their ball-dominant guards, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Luka does most of his damage in the first half, while Kyrie does him in the second half. Offensively, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray can pick their spots, which could lead to more continuity for them offensively. There is plenty of talent around this team, including Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic, so that they have a fighter’s chance.
Atlanta Hawks In The Offseason
What the Atlanta Hawks will do in the offseason largely depends on how they look the rest of the season. During their run together, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray’s backcourt has yet to click. They have good surrounding pieces, such as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Jalen Johnson, in the starting lineup. Clint Capela is a walking double-double in the middle. The question remains, though, if the tandem can work on both sides of the ball.
Trade rumors persisted in January as the Hawks struggled out of the gate. It was rumored that the Hawks “realized the pairing wasn’t working” and were exploring trades for Dejounte Murray. We must pay close attention to how the Atlanta Hawks finish the season and how each player plays. They may decide they still feel that way and trade one of them in the offseason. Recently, the popular scuttlebutt has been Trae Young and the Lakers.
Also Read: Atlanta Hawks Star Thriving In A Lead Role
About The Author:
Joseph Laguerre is a hardcore, born-and-raised New York sports fan. He is a Giants, Rangers, Yankees, and long-suffering Knicks supporter. You can find him on X @JavaJoeSports. His writing portfolio is also on his Wix site.
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